Remote controlled animal dart gun

ABSTRACT

The present invention provides methods and apparatuses related to applying darts, such as tranquilizers and inoculations, to animals, and more particularly to such application in conditions where human presence in proximity to the animal is undesirable. Example embodiments of the present invention allow darts to be projected to animals while a human operator controls the device from a remote location. The remote location of the human operator reduces the need to chase or otherwise stress the animals. Inclusion of a human operator, as compared to fully automatic systems, reduces the chance of projecting darts to wrong targets such as incorrect species, reduces the chance of malfunction or damage to the system, and provides an ability to monitor in real time the application and effect of the darts.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present invention claims priority as a continuation of U.S.application Ser. No. 13/235862, filed Sep. 19, 2011; which was anonprovisional of U.S. provisional application 61/384,291, filed Sep.19, 2010. Each of the preceding applications is incorporated herein byreference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to applying darts, such as tranquilizersand inoculations, to animals, and more particularly to such applicationin conditions where human presence in proximity to the animal isundesirable.

BACKGROUND

Management of animals where capture is impossible or inconvenient can bedone with darts fired into the animals from a distance. Such darts canbe used to tranquilizing, for immunizing, for taking of biopsies, andother purposes. Conventional darting of animals generally involves humanstalking or chase, and gunpowder-fired dart guns. These methods areexpensive due to manpower and time required, and can cause significantstress on the animals, and can be difficult since considerable effortand skill can be required for a human to approach close enough to a wildanimal for a reliable dart shot.

As one example, wild Horses and Burros on public lands are managed dueto competition for limited forage from private livestock. Since passageof the 1971 Wild Free Roaming Horses and Burros Act, the primary“management” method to control population numbers of these animals hasbeen round up via helicopter chase and other chase methods and removalfrom public lands. Helicopters round ups are expensive and result ininjury and death to the animals. Relying on removing horses and burrosfrom the wild has resulted in approximately 30,000 wild horses andburros being held in long term holding facilities, creating a financialcrisis for the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). A more humane andsustainable management method is administering Porcine Zona Pellucida(PZP), an immunocontraceptive that can be used to control wild horse andburro reproduction. Cost-effectively administration of PZP in the wildhas proven to be difficult.

Accordingly, there is a need for dart projection technology that allowsfor the remote darting of animals in the wild, for example of wildhorses and burros with PZP, providing for a more safe, humane, andcost-effective management method.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying figures are incorporated into and form part of thespecification, and, with the specification, illustrate exampleembodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 1 is a schematic depiction of an example embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic illustration of an example embodiment deployed foruse.

FIG. 3 is a schematic illustration of images obtained in use of anexample embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a schematic illustration of a barrel assembly suitable for usein an example embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a schematic illustration of a compressed gas reservoir andcontrol subsystem suitable for use in an example embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a photograph of an example embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a photograph of an example embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a schematic illustration of a commercially available motorizedtilt head 81 suitable for use in example embodiments of the presentinvention.

FIG. 9 is a schematic illustration of a video display subsystem suitablefor use in example embodiments of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

The present invention provides methods and apparatuses related toapplying darts, such as tranquilizers and inoculations, to animals, andmore particularly to such application in conditions where human presencein proximity to the animal is undesirable. Example embodiments of thepresent invention allow darts to be projected to animals while a humanoperator controls the device from a remote location. The remote locationof the human operator reduces the need to chase or otherwise stress theanimals. Inclusion of a human operator, as compared to fully automaticsystems, reduces the chance of projecting darts to wrong targets such asincorrect species, reduces the chance of malfunction or damage to thesystem, and provides an ability to monitor in real time the applicationand effect of the darts.

FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of an example embodiment of thepresent invention. A stable base 11 is configured for positioning onground such as dirt or rock. A moveable element 17 mounts with thestable base such that the moveable element 17 can be configured atvarious angular relationships to the stable base 11; e.g., by rotationabout one or more axes relative to the stable base 11. One or morebarrels 16 mount with the moveable element 17. The one or more barrels16 are configured to accept darts suitable for the intended use, such astranquilizer darts, inoculation darts, biopsy darts, transmitter darts,and DNA sample darts. The one or more barrels 16 are in operativecommunication with a source of projection energy 12 such as compressedair. The source of projection energy 12 can mount with the stable base11 as shown in the figure; the source of projection energy 12 can alsomount with the moveable element 17 or with the ground, depending onsize, weight, and strength characteristics desired.

A pointing device 15 such as a laser pointer mounts with the moveableelement 17 such that the pointing device 15 indicates a point at a knownrelation to the expected impact of a dart projected through thebarrel(s) 16, for example at a point coinciding with the expected impactpoint at a predetermined distance. A video device 14 mounts with themoveable element 17 such that the field of view of the video device 14is in a known relationship to the expected impact of a dart projectedthrough the barrel(s) 16; for example the field of view of video device14 can include enough information to allow identification of an animalthat will receive a dart, and can include the point indicated by thepointing device 15. A control system 13 is in communication with one ormore of the moveable element 17, the video device 14, the pointingdevice 15, the source of projection energy 12, and the barrel(s) 16. Thecontrol system 13 is also configured to communicate information from thevideo device 14 with a remote human observer (not shown), and to acceptcontrol information from a remote human user (not shown).

FIG. 2 is a schematic illustration of an example embodiment of thepresent invention in use. An apparatus 22 like that depicted in FIG. 1is placed at a location frequented by animals of interest. The apparatus22 communicates via radio frequency communication over an antenna to aremote viewing monitor 21. A human operator can monitor the viewingmonitor 21 and determine when an appropriate animal 23 is within rangeof the apparatus 22. The operator can communicate commands to theapparatus 22 to move the moveable element until the image in the viewingmonitor indicates that the apparatus is aimed to deliver a dart to adesired part of the animal 23. The human operator can then send acommand to the apparatus 22 to deliver the dart, for example byreleasing a quantity of compressed air to blow the dart from theapparatus 22. The remoteness of the human operator can help avoidfrightening the animal. The use of compressed air as a motive force fordart delivery can help avoid frightening the animal, or other animals inthe vicinity, as would be the case with guns using gunpowder as a motiveforce. Remote communication in the figure is depicted as via radiocommunication; those skilled in the art appreciate that similarcommunications can be achieved using wires, fiber optics, or othertechnologies that allow communication at a distance.

FIG. 3 is a schematic illustration of two images representative of theoperation of an example embodiment of the present invention. In the leftimage, the video device has transmitted to a remote user an image thatshows an animal (a horse in the figure) present in the field of view.The apparatus is not pointed at the animal however; the crosshairs inthe middle of the image indicate the point of impact of a dart. In theright image, the remote user has commanded the moveable element to movesuch that the expected impact point of a dart projected by the apparatuswill strike the animal at a desirable location. A laser pointer mountedwith the apparatus provides further confirmation of the expected impactpoint (the dark dot in the middle of the crosshairs). The crosshairs andpointer dot are for illustration only; other methods of indicatingexpected impact point can also be suitable; e.g., a pointer dot can beused without crosshairs; e.g., a characteristic of the display such ascolor or brightness can change when the apparatus is properly aimed. Theapparatus can further include a range determination system such that theactual trajectory of a dart can be compensated for in the aiming, e.g.,by elevating the effective aim point at greater distances.

The motion of the video device does not have to be coupled to the motionof the barrels at all times. For example, the video device can be movedseparately, and a pointing device used to indicate the point of aim ofthe barrels. As another example, the video device can be movedseparately, and an indicator provided in the video device of the pointof aim of the barrels. Such separate motion can require more complexmoveable elements and control, but can reduce the operating power (andtherefore increase battery life) and can reduce motion and noise thatcan result from moving the barrels before required.

FIG. 4 is a schematic illustration of an example barrel configurationsuitable for use in the present invention, viewed from the top. Theexample configuration comprises first 401 and second 402 barrelassemblies. The presence of two barrels allows two darts to be projectedat the same time, and allows two independent shots without requiringhuman intervention to reload. The example embodiment of FIG. 4 is forillustrative purposes; other barrel configurations, with one barrel or aplurality of barrels, in parallel or other relationships, and withvarious dart loading mechanisms such as magazine-fed loading, can all becompatible with the present invention.

The first and second barrels are similar; the description here willconcern the first barrel. At a first end of the barrel is a cap 403, forexample a ¾ inch PVC pipe cap. A section 404 of tubing, for example %inch PVC pipe, sealingly mounts with the cap 403. A fitting 405sealingly mounts with the tubing 404, where the fitting 405 isconfigured to accept compressed air through tubing 414. A section oftubing 406, for example % inch PVC pipe, sealingly mounts with thefitting 405. A control valve 413, for example a fast acting electricallycontrolled air valve, sealingly mounts with the tubing 406. The controlvalve 413 can be controlled via control wire 415 that communicates witha remote human user (not shown). Note that the various tubing sectionsare to facilitate construction, the components can be mounted directlyto each other without intermediate tubing if the components haveappropriate connection features, and the function of cap, fitting, andcontrol valve can be accomplished with a single subassembly.

A section 407 of tubing, for example ¾ inch metal pipe, sealingly mountswith the control valve 413. Metal pipe for this section of the barrelassembly can facilitate rigid mounting in relation to a moveable element(not shown) such as a pan/tilt head. Such rigid mounting can beaccomplished by fastening the metal tubing to a plate or box 409 whichin turns mounts to the moveable element. A further length of tubing 408extends from the mounting section 407, providing length to the barrel asneeded for accuracy and effective dart projection. The further length oftubing 408 can be formed as one piece with the mounting section 407 ifweight and strength constraints allow. An optional tubing end 410, suchas ½ inch PVC pipe perforated with multiple holes, can mount with theend of the further tubing 408 to reduce noise (and consequentfrightening and stress on the animals).

An optional pointing element 411, such as laser pointer, can mount withthe barrels such that the pointing element 411 indicates an expectedimpact point of a dart projected through the barrel. For example, thepointing element can be mounted with the barrels such that the pointingelement projects a light beam substantially parallel to the barrels. Thepointing element 411 can be always energized through an internal powersupply such as a battery or through a power connection wire 412. Thepointing device 411 can further be controlled, for example on/off,brightness, color (visible or infrared, e.g.), automatically or bydirection from a remote user.

FIG. 5 is a schematic illustration of a pressurized air supply subsystemsuitable for use with the present invention, for example with the twobarrel example in FIG. 4. A pressure tank 51 is configured to store airor another gas at high pressure. A port 52 into the tank 51 allowscommunication of the pressurized gas with a gauge 53 that allowsmonitoring of the pressure. The gauge 53 is optional: the apparatus doesnot require a gauge although a gauge can be helpful in operating andmaintaining the apparatus. The gauge 53 in the figure is depicted as ananalog dial; digital readout, and communication to the remote humanuser, and go/nogo readouts can also be suitable. If the pressure in thetank 51 can vary, for example as the pressurized gas supply is consumedby multiple dart projections, then a regulator 54 in communication withthe tank 51 can be useful to facilitate consistent operation of thebarrels by providing consistent air pressure to the barrels. An airvalve 55 can be connected between the tank 51 and the barrels (notshown) to allow the barrels to be isolated from the pressurized gas; forexample to facilitate cleaning or loading of the barrels. Such a valve55 can be a manual valve or can be remotely controlled such as byelectric or pneumatic or hydraulic control. A remotely controlled valvecan allow control from a remote human user, or under automatic controlfor safety or fault recovery, or to allow precise gas supply to thebarrels by isolating the barrels from the tank 51 during firing of thebarrels. Pressurized gas can be communicated to the barrels via pipes ortubes 56, 57; two are shown in the figure although one or more than twocan be suitable depending on the number of barrels and configuration ofgas flow paths at the barrels. Note that the gauge 53, regulator 54, andvalve 55 might not be required for all embodiments, and that they can bemounted in various orders or in parallel with each other in someembodiments.

Electric control systems suitable for use in the present invention areknown to those skilled in the art. Video capture and remotecommunication devices are commercially available. Remote controlcommunication devices are also commercially available. All or part ofthe apparatus can be covered with camouflage coating, e.g., paint, ormaterial, or netting, to reduce impact on the animals of interest.Components and subsystems can also be chosen for low noise operation tofurther reduce the likelihood that operation of the apparatus willfrighten the animals. Agents that mask, remove, or obscure odors can beused after installation of the apparatus to further reduce thelikelihood that presence of the apparatus will frighten the animals.

An apparatus as described herein can be deployed in a region frequentedby animals of interest. As an example, an apparatus can be deployedwhere animals desired for temporary tranquilization are known tofrequent (e.g., for capture, tagging, measurement, or study). As anexample, an apparatus can be deployed where animals whose inoculation isdesired are known to frequent (e.g., inoculation of wild animalpopulations against disease, or for administration ofreproduction-inhibiting agents to humanely reduce animal populations).Images or video from the apparatus can be reviewed remotely by a humanoperator. Image processing methods can be used to reduce the need toconstant human monitoring, for example motion detection or imagerecognition techniques can be used to alert the human operator that ananimal might be in view. Real time video communication and remotecontrol of the apparatus can be continuous, or can be enabled when themotion detection or image recognition at the apparatus indicates, or canbe enabled by action of the remote operator.

The operator can inspect the image or video, and can control themoveable element to pan and/or tilt and/or zoom the video device tobetter inspect the area. If it is determined that an animal of interestis present, the operator can control the barrel(s) to aim at anappropriate site on the animal, for example by a sight indicator on thevideo or by alignment with a pointing device such as a laser pointerillumination of the expected point of impact. The operator can theninitiate projection of a dart, for example by controlling release of airpressure into one or more barrels. The operator can monitor the video todetermine whether the dart projection was successful, e.g., if theanimal was in fact tranquilized, or if a subsequent dart projection isindicated. The operator can go to the apparatus for maintenance, e.g.,if recharging of the compressed gas supply is needed, or for manualreloading of barrels (or magazines if the apparatus is magazine-fed), orfor removing obstructions or repairing damage.

FIG. 6 and FIG. 7 are photographs of an example embodiment. The stablebase, moveable element, a battery, and a source of compressed gas areobscured by camouflage material and accordingly not clearly visible inthe photographs. An antenna enabling remote communication extends abovethe rest of the apparatus. A two barrel system like that describedpreviously mounts with the moveable element. A pointing device mountedbelow and between the two barrels. A video camera mounts above the twobarrels with a viewing axis substantially parallel to the firing axes ofthe barrels. Wires for electrical communication and control connect thevarious elements as needed. Tubes for communication of compressed gasextend from the barrels to the compressed gas supply.

FIG. 8 is a schematic illustration of a commercially available motorizedtilt head 81 suitable for use in example embodiments of the presentinvention. Such heads typically require input DC power, for example at6V or 12V. An adapter (not shown) is generally supplied, which converts110V AC power to the DC power required by the head. The adapter can beremoved and the DC power input 83 connected to a DC power supply such asa battery. A controller interface (not shown) is also typicallysupplied, with various buttons to control the motion of the head. Thecontroller interface can be removed, and the interface plug 82 connectedto control wires for remote control of the head.

FIG. 9 is a schematic illustration of a video display subsystem suitablefor use in example embodiments of the present invention. A videocommunications system 92 is configured to receive video information froma camera mounted with a moveable unit (not shown). Video signals aretransmitted from the communications system 92 to a monitor 91 (e.g., atelevision monitor or computer display) via a video cable 92 (e.g.,using any of the various video connection and cable standards). Thevideo system can be powered by readily available electrical power, e.g.,by a plug 94 for connection to conventional AC electrical power.

The present invention has been described in the context of variousexample embodiments as set forth herein. It will be understood that theabove description is merely illustrative of the applications of theprinciples of the present invention, the scope of which is to bedetermined by the claims viewed in light of the specification. Othervariants and modifications of the invention will be apparent to those ofskill in the art.

What is claimed is:
 1. An apparatus for remote controlled projection ofdarts into animals, comprising: (a) a stable base; (b) a moveableelement mounted with the stable base and configured to allow motion inat least one dimension; (c) a dart projection subsystem mounted with themoveable element, configured to project a dart along a predictabletrajectory, and a dart mounted therein, wherein the dart has a distaltip configured to penetrate the skin of an animal; (d) a video capturedevice mounted with the stable base or the moveable element, configuredto collect one or more video images; (e) a communications subsystem,configured to transmit video information from the video capture deviceto a remote user, and to accept direction from the remote user to movethe moveable element and to fire the dart projection subsystem.
 2. Theapparatus as in claim 1, wherein the dart is without a tether to theapparatus.
 3. An apparatus for remote controlled projection of dartsinto animals, comprising: (a) a stable base; (b) a moveable elementmounted with the stable base and configured to allow motion in at leastone dimension; (c) a dart projection subsystem mounted with the moveableelement, configured to project a dart along a predictable trajectory,and a dart mounted therein, wherein the dart is without a tether to theapparatus, wherein the dart projection subsystem comprises a source ofcompressed gas operatively connected to one or more barrels configuredto eject a dart when compressed gas is applied; (d) a video capturedevice mounted with the stable base or the moveable element, configuredto collect one or more video images; (e) a communications subsystem,configured to transmit video information from the video capture deviceto a remote user, and to accept direction from the remote user to movethe moveable element and to fire the dart projection subsystem.
 4. Theapparatus as in claim 3, wherein the video capture device is mountedwith the moveable element such that the expected impact point of thedart projections subsystem is represented by an indicator presented tothe remote user combined with an image from the video capture device. 5.The apparatus as in claim 1, wherein the dart has a distal tipconfigured to penetrate the skin of an animal.
 6. The apparatus as inclaim 1, further comprising a pointing device mounted with the moveableelement such that the pointing device indicates a point visible to aremote user that has a predetermined relationship to the expected impactpoint of the dart projection subsystem.
 7. The apparatus as in claim 6,wherein the pointing device comprises a laser.
 8. The apparatus as inclaim 1, wherein the stable base comprises a tripod.
 9. The apparatus asin claim 1, wherein the moveable element is rotatable about an axis notparallel to the surface on which the stable base mounts, and whereinrotation of the moveable element affects the trajectory of the dart. 10.The apparatus as in claim 1, wherein the moveable element is rotatableabout a roughly vertical axis, and wherein rotation of the moveableelement affects the trajectory of the dart.
 11. The apparatus as inclaim 1, wherein the moveable element is rotatable about two mutuallyperpendicular axes, and wherein rotation of the moveable element affectsthe trajectory of the dart.
 12. The apparatus as in claim 1, wherein themoveable element comprises a pan/tilt head, and wherein the position ofthe moveable element affects the trajectory of the dart.
 13. A method ofinjecting a substance into a target animal, comprising: (a) supplying anapparatus comprising: (a1) a stable base; (a2) a moveable elementmounted with the stable base and configured to allow motion in at leastone dimension; (a3) a dart projection subsystem mounted with themoveable element, configured to project a dart along a predictabletrajectory, and a dart mounted therein, wherein the dart has a distaltip configured to penetrate the skin of an animal; (a4) a video capturedevice mounted with the stable base or the moveable element, configuredto collect one or more video images; (a5) a communications subsystem,configured to transmit video information from the video capture deviceto a remote user, and to accept direction from the remote user to movethe moveable element and to fire the dart projection subsystem; (b)monitoring the video information transmitted by the communicationssubsystem to determine when a desired target animal is within aneffective range of the dart projection subsystem; (c) when a desiredtarget animal is within the effective range, then moving the moveableelement according to direction from a user remote from the dartprojection subsystem such that a predicted trajectory of a dartprojected from the dart projection subsystem will impact the targetanimal; (d) firing the dart projection subsystem according to directionfrom a user remote from the dart projection subsystem and therebyprojecting the dart into the target animal.
 14. A method as in claim 13,wherein the dart is without a tether to the apparatus.